PORT ANGELES — Positive reaction and a willingness to do whatever is necessary greeted Thursday’s announcement of formal negotiations between the state and Lower Elwha Klallam tribe — and the renewed possibility of building concrete anchors for the Hood Canal floating bridge in Port Angeles.
“Wasn’t that good news? I was more than mildly shocked to tell you the truth,” said Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam.
Kessler and Jim Buck, R-Joyce, represent the 24th District, which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
“I’m really pleased the governor used her influence to bring about a solution,” Kessler said.
“It seemed Frances (Charles, Lower Elwha Klallam tribal chairwoman) was being very firm, and I didn’t think she had moved.”
Earlier this month, Charles had tied the tribe’s support of building the anchors locally with resolution of the dispute over Tse-whit-zen, the ancestral village that is buried beneath the 22.5-acre former graving yard site off Marine Drive.
Kessler said Gov. Christine Gregoire called her Thursday with the news.
May heal some wounds
The announcement was good news for the Port Angeles community and could help heal some of the wounds created by the Department of Transportation’s shutdown of the graving yard project in December 2004, Kessler said.
“It’s some jobs although not as many as the original project,” Kessler said.
“It seems rural areas are always struggling with something.
“It was a good Christmas present.
“It might also signal that we can get closure on the reinterment issues, we hope.
“Let’s take the gift and be thankful.”
Incoming Port Angeles City Councilwoman Betsy Wharton said she was “delighted” to hear the state and tribe have agreed to formal negotiations.
Wharton, who campaigned heavily on Tse-whit-zen issues, defeated Mayor Richard Headrick in the November election and will take her seat at the council’s Jan. 3 meeting.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Wharton said.
“I suspect it will be a long process and there may be a bump or two in the road along the way.”
Acknowledgment of the historical significance of the Tse-whit-zen village site as well as the economic significance of the graving yard project are important, Wharton said.
“It sounds like both are on the table,” she said.
“I think I’ll take it as an optimistic sign.
“It’s good that there will be some commercial activity there. I don’t know the dollars involved, but it’s something.”